Letter: Congress should censure the president

The wait is over. This is the moment that clearly ends any possibility that President Donald Trump will become more “presidential.” His response to the radical white supremacist rally in Charlottesville demonstrates his utter disregard for basic democratic principles, indeed, for common decency.

He asks us to believe that some “very fine people” would mingle with these hate-mongering, torch-wielding, slur-chanting demonstrators. Unless he fears losing the votes of these repugnant haters, the president should be leading the nation in condemning rather than legitimizing them.

Abundant bipartisan, national and international criticism ranges from mild to scathing. The only wholly positive reaction to the president’s assigning blame for violence to “both sides” comes from “Unite the Right,” white nationalist, anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi groups. These anti-American hate groups have just been given more political power than they ever thought possible.

This is not just another daily distraction that will be forgotten after the next outlandish Twitter storm. We can no longer hope that this president will change. Instead, it is time for all Americans to pivot away from this unfit president.

Whether by elected officials or by citizens, silence implies approval. If you have been silent, this is the time to speak up and hold your president accountable.

Call your representatives, express your disapproval and ask them to censure the president.